Dataset Information

High-Deductible Health Plans: Implications for Substance Use Treatment.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To examine whether high-deductible health plans are related to patient complexity, health services use, and medical care costs among substance use treatment patients.

Data source/study setting

Electronic health record data from Kaiser Permanente Northern California; 2007-2011.

Study design

Retrospective analysis of electronic health record data of substance use treatment patients (N = 31,001). We examined relationship of patient demographics, health comorbidities, and services use and cost to deductible level: none, low ($1-$999), and high (?$1,000).

Methods

Demographic, membership, diagnostic, and utilization data were merged with cost data. Utilization and costs were summarized into 6-month intervals. Generalized estimation methods for repeated measures with logistic, Poisson, and linear regression were used.

Principal findings

Substance use patients with deductible plans were younger and had less comorbidity than those without deductibles. Patients with high deductibles had lower emergency room and hospital use 12- to 6-month pretreatment, but rates became similar to other groups in the 6 months immediately prior to treatment; treatment costs were similar.

Conclusion

Immediately prior to entering treatment, substance use patients with and without high deductibles have similar patterns of health services utilization. We discuss implications for health policy and treatment, particularly in an era of health reform.

SUBMITTER: Parthasarathy S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5034209 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

High-Deductible Health Plans: Implications for Substance Use Treatment.

Parthasarathy Sujaya S Campbell Cynthia I CI

Health services research 20160203 5

<h4>Objective</h4>To examine whether high-deductible health plans are related to patient complexity, health services use, and medical care costs among substance use treatment patients.<h4>Data source/study setting</h4>Electronic health record data from Kaiser Permanente Northern California; 2007-2011.<h4>Study design</h4>Retrospective analysis of electronic health record data of substance use treatment patients (N = 31,001). We examined relationship of patient demographics, health comorbidities, ...[more]

PMID: 26840191

Similar Datasets

Project description:ImportanceHealth savings accounts (HSAs) can be used by enrollees in high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) to save for health care expenses before taxes. Expansion of and encouraging contributions to HSAs have been centerpieces of recent federal legislation. Little is known about how US residents who may be eligible for HSAs are using them to save for health care.ObjectiveTo determine which patients who may be eligible for an HSA do not have one and what decisions patients with HSAs make about contributing to them.Design, setting, and participantsThis cross-sectional national survey assessed an online survey panel representative of the US adult population. Adults aged 18 to 64 years and enrolled in an HDHP for at least 12 months were eligible to participate. Data were collected from August 26 to September 19, 2016, and analyzed from November 1, 2019, to April 30, 2020.Main outcomes and measuresPrevalence of not having an HSA or not making HSA contributions in the last 12 months and reasons for not making the HSA contributions.ResultsBased on data from 1637 individuals (American Association of Public Opinion Research response rate 4, 54.8%), half (50.6% [95% CI, 47.7%-53.6%]) of US adults in HDHPs were female, and most were aged 36 to 51 (35.7% [95% CI, 32.8%-38.6%]) or 52 to 64 (36.8% [95% CI, 34.1%-39.5%]) years. Approximately 1 in 3 (32.5% [95% CI, 29.8%-35.3%]) did not have an HSA. Those who obtained their health insurance through an exchange were more likely to lack an HSA (70.3% [95% CI, 61.9%-78.6%]) than those who worked for an employer that offered only 1 health insurance plan (36.5% [95% CI, 30.9%-42.1%]; P < .001). More than half of individuals with an HSA (55.0% [95% CI, 51.1%-58.8%]) had not contributed money into it in the last 12 months. Among HDHP enrollees with an HSA, those with at least a master's degree (46.1% [95% CI, 38.3%-53.9%]; P = .02) or a high level of health insurance literacy (47.3% [95% CI, 40.7%-54.0%]; P = .03) were less likely to have made no HAS contributions. Common reasons for not contributing to an HSA included not considering it (36.8% [95% CI, 30.8%-42.8%]) and being unable to afford saving for health care (31.9% [95% CI, 26.2%-37.6%]).Conclusions and relevanceThese findings suggest that many US adults enrolled in an HDHP lack an HSA, and few with an HSA saved for health care in the last year. Targeted interventions should be explored by employers, health plans, and health systems to encourage HSA uptake and contributions among individuals who could benefit from their use.

Dataset Information

High-Deductible Health Plans: Implications for Substance Use Treatment.

Objective

Data source/study setting

Study design

Methods

Principal findings

Conclusion

Publications

High-Deductible Health Plans: Implications for Substance Use Treatment.

Similar Datasets

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